LOWELL -- Even before the drawing began for Lowell General Hospital's annual Sun Santa Fund basket raffle, attendees were getting into the holiday spirit Wednesday.

Paul Beausoleil, copy coordinator at LGH, led an impromptu chorus of songs like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "The 12 Days of Christmas."

Beausoleil told those anxiously waiting in their seats, the louder they sang, the better their chances were to be one of the lucky winners. For the past 16 years, staff at LGH have come up with creative and generous gift baskets to benefit the Sun Santa Fund.

The 37 baskets donated this year helped to raise $62,500, which was matched by the hospital, amounting to $125,000 this year. This fundraising was completed in just six and a half days.

Lowell General Hospital's Manager of Volunteer Services Debhinn Watts holds one of the buckets of tickets so Director of Volunteer Services Linda Gaetano-Dooley can pull out a winning ticket at the hospital's Sun Santa gift basket raffle. Looking on is CEO of Circle Health and Wellforce Norm Deschene, the event's emcee. See video and a slide show at lowellsun.com. SUN/JOHN LOVE

Last year, LGH broke its record by raising a final amount of $140,000 for the Sun Santa Fund.

Linda Gaetano-Dooley, director of concierge and guest services at LGH, said the event never ceases to amaze her.

"The highlight is where the money's going," Gaetano-Dooley said. "I know what it is to grow up, pretty middle class, but some people aren't even that fortunate. For families to be able to do something for their kids, that makes my holiday, that makes my Christmas."

After committing 27 years to LGH, and about 16 years to coordinating the raffle, she will be retiring in February. Gaetano-Dooley also mentioned how happy she was that Norm Deschene, CEO of Circle Health and WellForce, has found the Sun Santa Fund as important as she has over the years.

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Deschene, who was the lively host for the event, said it has definitely grown, attracting people well outside the Greater Lowell area to participate. He also said he is proud LGH has been the top contributor to the Sun Santa Fund each year. The highlight of the event for him is presenting the check.

"It's a special time of year and what's special about it for me is that our employees do this. It's a grassroots effort," Deschene said. "Being a community hospital, it's all about our community.

Paul Beausoleil, copy coordinator for LGH, led a holiday sing-a-long as attendees waited for the gift basket raffle to start.
SUN/JOHN LOVE

Most winners were not present to claim their lavish prizes, but Sreymom Ty was the first in the audience to hear her name called. She won the "Santa's Brew" basket, which was actually a cooler filled with assorted domestic and international beers.

"I like this because of the generosity and helping other children's families," said Ty, a medical interpreter at LGH. "It's exciting to spread the cheer."

Ty usually participates in the raffle, but this was her first time attending the drawing. She said she plans on sharing the prize with her department.

Jeannine Donovan, who has been participating in the raffle since it began, finally scored her first prize Wednesday. She won a Cape Cod Doll House, donated and made by Judy Biggs of Tyngsboro.

Donovan is setting the prize aside for her great granddaughter, who will turn 3 next month.

"It helps so many people," Donovan said of the Sun Santa Fund. "I just think it's a great thing to do every year, and it's fun."

And it was Santa Claus himself who ended up snagging a basket full of gourmet wines, Stonewall Kitchen products and restaurant gift cards, all worth $3,000. Ray Scott, who works in LGH's Concierge Services, also dresses up as Santa every year for the event.

"I remember the first year we did Sun Santa," Scott said. "To see what it has grown into is amazing."

With the same giving spirit as Santa, Scott said he is splitting the prize with a co-worker whose husband has been sick.

The lucky winner of The Sun's donation of four premium seats to see the Red Sox next year was not at the drawing.

"The Lowell General Hospital community is like the Energizer bunny," said Sun Editor Jim Campanini. "Each year these outstanding people deliver greater spirit and generosity to those desperately in need. It's truly incredible. We at the Sun Santa Fund are most appreciative of their amazing effort."

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